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Gorki Waterpark Warms Up a Russian Winter

In a region renown for its frigid winter weather, Polin has created a balmy haven of both tranquil and thrilling aquatic attractions

Gorki Indoor Waterpark opened on Dec. 21, at just outside Ryazan, a city about 120 miles south of Moscow.

A part of the Oka Gemchugina (also known as Okskaya Zhemcuzhina) Family Entertainment Resort, Gorki Waterpark covers 7,200 square meters (77,500 square feet). Set up on two levels, the resort-which includes an adjoining hotel-offers recreation for all ages in a complex designed and supplied by Polin Waterparks and Pool Systems.

On the upper level, families with small children can lounge in an artificial lake with mini slides, fountains and showers. Below, the main level caters to adults with extreme waterslides, two pools, a solarium, a leisure river, a whirlpool and a variety of other amusement rides.

A Warm Reception in a Chilly City

Days before the waterpark’s official opening, thermometers in the local region were registering highs that were below normal by 18 degrees Celsius. Pipes throughout the region were bursting, schools were closed and flights had been disrupted due to the extreme weather. But inside the gleaming new facility, local officials basked in balmy temperatures as warm water lapped at the edges of the leisure river and rolled in from the wave pool.

Elena Tsareva, vice president of the regional government, attended the ceremony on behalf of Governor Oleg Kovalev. She offered congratulations on the inaugural event, as did other officials in attendance, including Galina Sokolova, the deputy minister of culture and tourism of the Ryazan region.

The new waterpark-which can accommodate as many as 1,000 guests each day - is part of a federal program designed to encourage increased domestic tourism. Tsareva cited the project as "a good example of public-private partnership."

A Future of Fun

Besides the waterpark and hotel, the Oka Gemchugina complex includes several restaurants and a modern spa. The spa features a Finnish sauna, a Turkish hammam and a Russian bathhouse. In the next few months, the spa will offer treatments such as wraps, peels and massages using natural essential oils.

In addition, a family entertainment center is under construction and is expected to open before the end of the year.

As this final section of the Oka Gemchugina complex is finished, other new attractions will begin to open nearby-additional projects that are also part of the federal program’s regional tourism and recreation area. These new attractions will include a fishing village, yacht club, a complex of guest houses and another hotel. Officials expect the last of these projects to be completed in 2015.

Providing a Range of Family Options

Polin-which now operates a satellite office in Krasnador, Russia-installed a variety of slides at the Gorki Waterpark to ensure that all guests could find a ride they enjoyed. Selim Doguoglu, head of Polin’s Russian office, says that to accommodate as many attractions as possible, the company tried to use the building’s footprint to its greatest advantage.

For example, he said, "Our engineers developed an ingenious design that placed the majority of the slides’ pathways outside the building." Guests enter the slides from inside the facility, then zip through tunnels on the building’s exterior. They twist and turn through adrenalin-pumping passages before looping back into the building for a splash down inside. "By extending the slides outside, we had more room on the interior to include a wider variety of attractions. No matter what their mood, I know guests at Gorki Waterpark will find a slide that fits their interests," Doguoglu said.

Polin included some of its most popular attractions in the facility’s development. They include:

A Kamikaze. This slide’s configuration is the most extreme in the park at 30 meters (98.4 feet) long. While not all those who climb to the top of the slide’s platform accept the challenge of its thrilling ride (a "chicken" exit is available), those who do experience a series of jaw-dropping falls that make them true devotees of the attraction.

A Space Hole/Black Hole Combination. Guests who traverse the maze-like trip of this slide travel through enclosed tunnels that shoot them through unpredictable turns and sudden drops. (Some guests have come close to setting records for the longest squeal for the duration of this ride!)

A Magic Hole. With its unique elliptical shape and flat bottom, this enclosed slide promises an unforgettable ride with multiple twists, turns and drops. Double tubes allow those who are a bit less courageous to pair up with a braver companion for the trip.

An Aquatube. Guests speed along this enclosed slide in complete darkness, creating a thrilling experience that is unmatched by the park’s other slides.

Wave Pool.Probably the most popular pool for both children and adults, the rocking waves in this attraction allow guests of all ages to imagine they have been transported to a relaxing beach.

Leisure River.Guestsfloat on tubes along a river that winds through dark, magical caves and mysterious fairy tunnels.

Whirlpool. Bubbles immerse guests’ bodies in this calming pool, allowing them to drift amid its relaxing and enveloping warmth and soothing their cares away.

Kids’ Attractions.Among the many aquatic options for children are smaller versions of Polin’s classic Body Slides, Tunnel Sides and Wide Slides. Other themed slides for kids include octopus, frog, cobra, turtle, rabbit and rainbow slides, as well as elephant, mushroom and dolphin fountains and a clown shower. From the bravest to the most tentative, younger guests will no doubt find a slide or other fun water feature that suits their level of speed and ability.

To learn more about the array of aquatic attractions available from Polin, visit the company’s booth numbered A3/2 at the 15th Anniversary of the International Exhibition of the Russian Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (RAAPA) Show in Moscow, March 20-22. Polin extends an invitation to all those attending the show to stop by and get details, view videos, see product demonstrations.

Polin Waterparks and Pool Systems was founded in Istanbul, Turkey, in 1976 and has become one of the world’s leading companies in the design, manufacture and installation of waterparks, waterslides and water-play attractions. Polin is intimately involved in all the projects it takes on, guiding each step from concept to completion. Polin has been a pioneer in the advancement and application of closed-molded manufacturing technology in waterslide development. Since 2006, Polin has converted more than 95 percent of its annual fiberglass production to resin transfer molding (RTM). Polin offers both bowl rides and family rides featuring RTM techniques. Polin also offers its unique and patented Natural Light Effect technology, Special Pattern Effects technology in RTM and translucent RTM waterslides. Polin features a wide range of slides, including signature rides such as the patented King Cobra, Magic Spheres, Spheres, Magi Cone and Space Shuttle. Polin is committed to providing the best-quality product and service by investing in continuous research and development. The company plans to further expand its L-RTM line while introducing new signature rides and innovations. For more information, visit www.polin.com.tr.